Welcome to the 10th Annual

Los Angeles Tanabata Festival

August 11-12

Have you noticed the beautiful decorations hanging in Little Tokyo each summer? They are all made by neighbors and friends all over California, Japan, and beyond. Anyone can participate in our summer celebration!

Come to our workshops, learn how to make kazari and even enter the big contest! Individuals, families, clubs, teams and friends are all welcome.

Welcome to the 10th Annual

Los Angeles Tanabata Festival

August 11-12

Have you noticed the beautiful decorations hanging in Little Tokyo each summer? They are all made by neighbors and friends all over California, Japan, and beyond. Anyone can participate in our summer celebration!

Come to our workshops, learn how to make kazari and even enter the big contest! Individuals, families, clubs, teams and friends are all welcome.

Schedule

AUG 10-11-12

Opening Ceremonies

4:45pm

5:00pm

5:15pm

Tanabata Play with Nancy Hayata and Naoyuki Ikeda (子供の劇)

5:25pm

Chairperson’s Welcome (会長挨拶)

5:30pm

Introduction of VIPs (VIPのご紹介)

5:55pm

Minyo Station (民謡)

6:10pm

Kazari Awards (飾りコンテストの表彰式)

The first place winner in each category will receive $50 and a specially designed framed award. The Founder’s Award will be awarded to the overall winner of the first place winners and receives an additional $50 prize.

6:30pm

Sake Barrel Breaking (鏡開き)

6:40pm

Ondo Dancing with Nancy Hayata (音頭)

All Day

Kazari Exhibits on Display

Vote for Your Favorite!

The People’s Choice Award voting is open to all Tanabata Festival attendees. Stroll the grounds and choose the kazari you think deserves the award. Winner will be announced on Sunday at 2:45pm.

11:00am – 8:00pm

Vendor Booths

Food & Drink, Arts & Crafts, Contests, Games

Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine; shop for that perfect tanabata memorabilia; participate in various games and contests.

10:30am – 8:30pm

Entertainment

Under the White Tent

Relax under the big white tent as various individuals and groups provide an assortment of entertainment throughout the day.

2:45pm – 3:00pm

People’s Choice Award

11:00am – 4:00pm

Vendor Booths

Your last chance to feast on all the festival food; shop for that perfect tanabata memorabilia at the different arts and crafts booths; participate in various games and contests.

10:30am – 4:00pm

Entertainment

Under the White Tent

Relax under the big white tent as various individuals and groups provide an assortment of entertainment throughout the day.

10:30am – 11:00am : Taiko with Ken Koshio

11:00am – 11:45am : J-Pop by Miru Daru

12:00pm – 12:45pm : Shamisen by Naoki Atkins

1:00pm – 2:00pm : Atomic Project featuring Atomic Nancy & Benny Yee

2:00pm – 2:45pm : Classical Japanese Dance by Nancy Hayata

2:45pm : People’s Choice Award Presentation

3:00pm – 4:00pm : Yuna and Tida

Little Tokyo in Los Angeles

The Tanabata Festival displays are located in Little Tokyo at E 1st St and N Central Ave: in front of the JANM (Japanese American National Museum) and MOCA (Geffen/Museum of Contemporary Art). Wander the area at your leisure – eat, shop, play games at the many vendor booths, and relax while enjoying entertainment under the white tent throughout the day.

Little Tokyo in Los Angeles

The Tanabata Festival displays are located in Little Tokyo at E 1st St and N Central Ave: in front of the JANM (Japanese American National Museum) and MOCA (Geffen/Museum of Contemporary Art). Wander the area at your leisure – eat, shop, play games at the many vendor booths, and relax while enjoying entertainment under the white tent throughout the day.

Cosplay Contest

Anime Expo will be giving away prizes. Come in your best cosplay. Sign up at the posted location. We will take your real name and your Cosplay character name and as well as your cosplays theme song.

Prizes:

The prizes will be 4-day AX 2019 badges and AX merchandise (i.e. t-shirts/etc.) prize packages. 1st place get a pair of badges, while 2nd/3rd have one each. The prizes get more in the prize pack depending on the contest placement.

Judges:

There will be three judges.

Faq

Does it cost to view the kazari?

The kazari displays are free to the public. You can even vote on your favorite design all day Saturday. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be presented on Sunday.

Where does it take place?

The Los Angeles Tanabata Festival is situated in the heart of Little Tokyo. The various kazari will be on display at E 1st St and N Central Ave, in front of the JANM (Japanese American National Museum) and MOCA (Geffen/Museum of Contemporary Art).

What else is there to do?

Satisfy your hunger at the many festival food and drink booths located throughout the closed-off street. There are Arts & Crafts booths, too, where you can browse and shop. And kids can have fun competing at the various games booths! Go to the big white tent where you can sit and relax while being entertained by a wide assortment of music, manga, dancing, and more.

How Long is the Event?

The Opening Ceremonies actually begin on Friday evening and the festival runs all day Saturday and concludes on Sunday evening.

Can I learn to make a kazari?

Yes! Anyone can do it. And it’s easy once you know how. The best way to learn is to visit and participate in one of our Kazari Workshops. They are taught in 2 locations: Little Tokyo and Torrance. Complete times and dates can be found on the Workshop section of this website.

How do I enter my kazari in the contest?

Entering your beautiful kazari is easy. Go to the Contest section and register. It only takes a few minutes to complete. The entry fee is only $10, and there’s even an early-bird registration fee waiver if you register online by June 30, 2018.

Where do I buy material to make kazari?

You can purchase all the materials you need at one of our workshops. We will also be selling material in our online storefront very soon.

I have other questions. Who do I ask?

You can contact us anytime with any question you may have using our online General Inquiries form. We will do our best to get back to you promptly.